US senators move to block UAE arms over Sudan's RSF
Van Hollen and Jacobs say the UAE is arming the RSF in contradiction of its assurances; resolutions of disapproval target Emirati weapons sales as Abu Dhabi denies all
Summary
US Senator Chris Van Hollen and Representative Sara Jacobs said the United Arab Emirates is providing weapons to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, contradicting assurances given to Washington. They introduced resolutions of disapproval — S.J.Res.51 to 54 — co-sponsored by Murphy, Schatz, Kaine and Sanders, to block or pause UAE arms sales until the administration certifies Abu Dhabi is not supporting the RSF. Human Rights Watch has documented a UAE-based company hiring Colombian private military contractors, trained at UAE bases and deployed to support the RSF, while a UN Panel of Experts probed transfers said to violate the 2005 Darfur arms embargo. The UAE embassy denies all involvement, citing the April 2025 UN panel report as finding "no substantiated evidence." The fight tests how far Congress will press a partner Mohammed Bin Zayed has made central to US tech and defence ties.
By the numbers
- 4 — Senate disapproval resolutions (S.J.Res.51-54).
- 2005 — the Darfur arms embargo the transfers are said to violate.
- 0 — "substantiated evidence" the UAE says the UN panel found against it.
Why it matters
The resolutions pit Sudan's war — among the world's worst humanitarian crises — against the US-UAE relationship MBZ has built on AI chips, sovereign capital and the Iran ceasefire. Even if they fail, they signal congressional limits on the partnership and keep the RSF question attached to every future Emirati arms request.
What to watch
- Whether any disapproval resolution reaches a floor vote and its margin.
- Any administration certification on UAE support to the RSF.
- Fresh UN panel or HRW documentation of transfers.